There is another mystery (to be told), (but) where is another ear? Where is a parrot capable of (eating) that sugar?

سر دیگر هست کو گوش دگر ** طوطیی کو مستعد آن شکر

For the elect parrots there is a profound (occult) candy: to that food the eyes of the vulgar parrots are closed.

طوطیان خاص را قندیست ژرف ** طوطیان عام از آن خور بسته طرف

How should one who has (only) the appearance of a dervish taste of that purity? It is spiritual reality, not (mere) fa‘úlun fá‘ilát (amphibrachs and cretics).160

کی چشد درویش صورت زان زکات ** معنیست آن نه فعولن فاعلات

Candy is not withheld from the ass of Jesus by him (Jesus), but the ass is naturally pleased with straw.

از خر عیسی دریغش نیست قند ** لیک خر آمد به خلقت که پسند

If candy had roused delight in the ass, he would have poured hundredweights of sugar in front of the ass.

قند خر را گر طرب انگیختی ** پیش خر قنطار شکر ریختی

Know that this is the (inner) meaning of We seal their mouths: this (knowledge) is important for the traveller on the Way,

معنی نختم علی افواههم ** این شناس اینست ره‌رو را مهم

That perchance, by (his following) the Way of the Seal of the prophets, the heavy seal may be lifted from his lips.

تا ز راه خاتم پیغامبران ** بوک بر خیزد ز لب ختم گران

The seals which the (former) prophets left were removed by the religion of Ahmad (Mohammed).165

ختمهایی که انبیا بگذاشتند ** آن بدین احمدی برداشتند

The unopened locks had remained (as they were): they were opened by the hand of Lo, We have opened (unto thee).

قفلهای ناگشاده مانده بود ** از کف انا فتحنا برگشود

He is the intercessor in this world and in yonder world—in this world (for guidance) to the (true) religion, and yonder (for entrance) to Paradise.

او شفیع است این جهان و آن جهان ** این جهان زی دین و آنجا زی جنان

In this world he says, “Do Thou show unto them the Way,” and in yonder world he says, “Do Thou show unto them the Moon.”

این جهان گوید که تو رهشان نما ** وآن جهان گوید که تو مهشان نما

It was his custom in public and in private (to say), “Guide my people: verily they know not.”

پیشه‌اش اندر ظهور و در کمون ** اهد قومی انهم لا یعلمون

By his breath (powerful intercession) both the Gates were opened: in both worlds his prayer is answered.170

باز گشته از دم او هر دو باب ** در دو عالم دعوت او مستجاب

He has become the Seal (of the prophets) for this reason that there never was any one like him in munificence nor ever shall be.

بهر این خاتم شدست او که به جود ** مثل او نه بود و نه خواهند بود

When a master surpasses (all others) in his craft, don't you say (to him), “The craft is sealed on thee”?

چونک در صنعت برد استاد دست ** نه تو گویی ختم صنعت بر توست

In the opening of seals thou (O Mohammed) art the Seal: in the world of the givers of spiritual life thou art the Hátim.

در گشاد ختمها تو خاتمی ** در جهان روح‌بخشان حاتمی

The purport (is this, that) the indications (esoteric teachings) of Mohammed are wholly revelation within revelation within revelation.

هست اشارات محمدالمراد ** کل گشاد اندر گشاد اندر گشاد

A hundred thousand blessings on his spirit and on the advent and cycle of his sons!175

صد هزاران آفرین بر جان او ** بر قدوم و دور فرزندان او

Those fortunate Caliph-born sons of his are born of the substance of his soul and heart.

آن خلیفه‌زادگان مقبلش ** زاده‌اند از عنصر جان و دلش

Whether they be of Baghdád or Herát or Rayy, they are his progeny without admixture of water and earth.

گر ز بغداد و هری یا از ری‌اند ** بی‌مزاج آب و گل نسل وی‌اند

Wherever the rose-bough blossoms, ’tis still the (same) rose; wherever the wine-jar bubbles, ’tis still the (same) wine.

شاخ گل هر جا که روید هم گلست ** خم مل هر جا که جوشد هم ملست

If the sun uplift its head (rise) from the west, ’tis the same sun, not anything else.

گر ز مغرب بر زند خورشید سر ** عین خورشیدست نه چیز دگر

O Maker, by means of Thy veiling grace keep the fault-pickers blind to this (mystic) utterance.180

عیب چینان را ازین دم کور دار ** هم بستاری خود ای کردگار

God said (in answer to my prayer), “I have blindfolded the eyes of the evil-natured bat (so as to prevent it) from (seeing) the peerless Sun.

گفت حق چشم خفاش بدخصال ** بسته‌ام من ز آفتاب بی‌مثال

From the glances of the infirm and feeble bat even the stars of that Sun are concealed.”

از نظرهای خفاش کم و کاست ** انجم آن شمس نیز اندر خفاست

In blame of the rotten (worthless) reputations which prevent spiritual experience of the Faith and point to insincerity and stand in the way of hundreds of thousands of fools; as (for example) the (flock of) sheep stood in the way of a certain effeminate person, and he durst not pass, so he asked the shepherd, “Will these sheep of yours bite me, I wonder?” “If you are a man,” he replied, “and the root of manhood is in you, they all are devoted to you; but if you are effeminate, each one of them is a dragon to (destroy) you.” There is another (kind of) effeminate person who, when he sees the sheep, immediately turns back and does not dare to ask (the shepherd); for he is afraid that, if he asks, the sheep will fall upon him and bite him.